Radice: Rind Rhodesian with Faux Bamboo Tobacco Pipe

This Rhodesian is a sleek, unique take on the shape, with a wide transition giving way to a continuously tapering shank-and-stem combination. The shank here is especially noteworthy, being carved in one of Radice's most recognizable, iconic patterns: a faux bamboo that replicates two of the dense grass' flared nodes here before giving way to a tapering stem of black acrylic. The slender aft side of the pipe pushes the vast majority of the visual weight here onto the bowl, with said bowl easily drawing the eye thanks to its impressive presence. A muscular heel supports the bowl as it flares stoutly into a mid-set waist marked by twin beadlines, additionally denoting the shape's taper to the rim. There's plenty of plump curvature present through this bowl, offering a comfortable feel in hand. Dressed in the Rind series' craggy rustication, there's ample texture on offer in this composition, with smooth briar highlighting the shank's eye-catching shaping.

Luigi Radice was born in 1939 and began his career working with briar in 1961, finding employment at the venerable Castello workshop. While working for the now legendary brand, Luigi met Giuseppe Ascorti, and the two left together in 1968 to found Caminetto, where he stayed for 12 years, before departing to establish Radice in 1980. With help from his son, Gianluca, and his father, Paolo, Luigi began producing pipes in a striking neoclassical style which quickly amassed acclaim from enthusiasts of such stylized works. Luigi was later joined by his other son, Marzio, and the family-run workshop has since become known not just for their unique take on the neoclassical style of pipe making, but their singular accenting and finishing techniques.